The farm Donations Features of our farming system to look out for on the farm trail The trail is a permissive path that was set up under our Countryside If you have enjoyed your visit today, you may wish Stewardship Scheme so that members of the public can enjoy the to become a Friend, or make a donation. wildlife and habitats that we have created through participation in the organic agri-environment scheme. A key element of our farming system is working with nature to Name maintain biodiversity. Defra and Natural England this project has been part funded by the The Organic Farm Trail North Wessex Downs Sustainable Development Fund support organic farming systems in recognition of www.northwessexdowns.org.uk Address the benefits for wildlife conservation. at Elm Farm You will see ‘weeds’ in most fields. They are Farm trail walks ‘weeds’ only when they are not wanted. We use Farm walks, guided by the staff of Elm Farm Organic Research Centre, are arranged at different times of year. Please visit our website for details of planned ‘weeds’ and wild flowers to encourage a diversity walks and other activities. of insects, invertebrates and micro-organisms in The trail the crops, and to give our livestock a more varied The trail is a footpath, open to the public at all times, which follows a circular Postcode diet. When weeds become a problem we control them with mowers, harrows and cultivators. route through the farm including several areas noted for biodiversity and conservation value. There are leaflets available on the trail providing guidance on Telephone Also look for: where to go and what you may see. Some statistics and guidance Email a) white clover in all of the pastures to create natural fertility, Location: Elm Farm is in the village of Hamstead Marshall, approx 3 miles west of Newbury (OS map ref. SU414,654). The post code is RG20 0HR. b) crop rotations where the natural fertility GIFT AID - to increase the value of your donation by The trail is about 2½ miles long and takes up to 1½ hours to complete. It is a nearly a third at no extra cost to you - “I am a UK tax payer created in grassland is used to grow a variety of circular walk that starts and finishes at the farm, and crosses 3 public rights of and I would like The Organic Research Centre to treat all arable crops, way that can be walked in combination with the trail. See Page 4 for locating the donations I have made as Gift Aid donations.” c) arable field margins sown with grasses and start of the trail. herbs to sustain the beneficial insects that Public transport to Elm Farm is by the bus service between Hungerford and control pests of arable crops, Newbury. Newbury Buses service no.13 connects Hamstead Marshall with Newbury, and with Hungerford via Kintbury and Inkpen. Nearest stations are at Signature d) compost from the yards where cattle are kept Kintbury and Newbury. For further travel information, see www.traveline.org.uk, in winter, which re-cycles nutrients back to the or call them on 0871 200 22 33 land and adds to the soil organic matter, Car parking is available for up to 4 cars on the ungated hard standing opposite the Date Amount Donated £ e) cattle that are maintained on a natural diet, main entrance gate, or on the roadside near to the farm. kept in family groups as far as possible and Access and Amenity (If you would like to become a Friend please tick) allowed to behave naturally, In spring 2008 we replaced all of the footpath stiles with pedestrian gates. There are also bridges over ditches and streams. All Cheques should be made payable to: f) cow pats that are alive with insects and other invertebrates, At two positions on the trail there are interesting observation points where we The Organic Research Centre. have placed benches (see map). g) hedgerows that are managed individually, Elm Farm is a working farm with livestock. The cattle and sheep that may be some left to grow for many years, and others Credit/Debit Card: Visa Mastercard encountered in some fields are usually inquisitive and will approach walkers, but cut more often so that a diversity of hedgerow they are not dangerous if ignored. Never approach a cow with a young calf, and (please circle one) habitats can be used by wildlife with different if you have a dog that is threatened by cattle, the dog should be allowed to run Maestro Other preferences, off the lead. Dogs should normally be kept on the lead and please leave all gates as you h) 5 species of bats that live in some specially find them. Card No: designed roosts in the roofspace of the new conference rooms and office buildings. In places Links with public paths Now with improved access, Expiry Date: Issue No: there are metal roof tiles that allow access for The farm trail is linked with other local places of interest by public footpaths. The River Kennet and The Kennet and Avon canal are a mile away at Hamstead Lock, (Delta/Maestro) the bats. Our land has large populations of information and amenity flying insects for the bats, and for birds such as near to the historic Hamstead Park and Craven House which were the home of Security Code: the Lords Craven from the early seventeenth century. Footpaths also link the farm swallows, housemartins and swifts. to the villages of Kintbury, Marsh Benham, Enborne, Ball Hill and Inkpen. (last 3 digits on the signature strip on the back of your credit card) The trail is a permissive path, open to the public throughout the year Thank you for supporting us www.organicresearchcentre.com 01/10 The Farm Trail F The Seat in Donkey Field. After crossing the bridge a seat is visible on How YOU can help Key to the farm trail map top of the bank to your right. It is positioned to give a good view of the When followed in an anticlockwise direction the trail starts at the insects and birds that inhabit the rich pond habitat in the old clay pit. The Organic Research Centre information board near the gate into the farmyard (point S ) Trail route From the gate, walk across the middle of Gully on the public footpath Quarry We rely heavily on donations to fund our important and From the main roadside farm entrance, walk westwards to the start of the Marsh to another gate on the edge of Gully Bank. Follow the path over Public Rights of Way Field Benham trail near the farmyard entrance. Follow the path, cross the footbridge and bridges to the next gate into Sheepfield, then turn left and go diverse work. From developing crop varieties for organic turn left. Roads down to the roadside. systems, through the protection of organic principles and best practice in a rapidly expanding UK market, the Organic A Slurry tower. The big, round, green tank on your left is the slurry G Willow pollards. Near the roadside gate a willow tree Research Centre's unique efforts need your support. tower. It holds over 1,000 cubic metres of liquid manure collected Woodcotes has been pollarded; that is cut repeatedly at a height of from the cattle over winter, which is spread on the land as organic about 2 metres. Willow pollards were one of Vincent van North 10 You as an individual, or an organisation, can make a valuable fertiliser when the crops are growing and need nutrients. Gogh’s favourite subjects, and were once widespread 11 and attractive features of farmland. They were cut at this difference if you can help us in one of the following ways: Now head for the gate and into Creek. height to avoid cattle browsing on the new growth that Become a “Friend” of The Organic Research Centre, or make B 9 was used either for basket-making or to feed cattle Old hedge lines. About 220 years ago Creek and Sunnyside a friend a Friend (£25 minimum annual donation). were split into five fields. By 1843, six hedges had disappeared in winter. leaving only the oak trees to mark their location. Old isolated Flatbottom Kintbury Cross the road to the gate into Ditchfield and follow In addition to the regular Bulletin, you will also receive oaks in the pasture up to your right are an important habitat for Wood- the field margin on your left. Continue along the cotes newsletters on our activities, free publications, discount many insects and other invertebrates. There are over 90 oak 8 hedge and around the clay pit to a gated bridge trees on Elm Farm, up to about 300 years old. South on specified events and many more of our Special over the ditch. Invitation-Only events. Continue following the hedge then turn left through the gate H Old clay/lime pits. The scrubby holes in in Home Field. Sunnyside If you would like to make a Donation to The Organic 1 Ditchfield and Flatbottom are old clay pits that were Ditchfield used to supply a brick kiln on the hill north of the Research Centre please complete the donation form overleaf. C Wildlife habitat. The fenced scrub area at the top of S White Hart Home Field was planted in 1994 with a mixture of woody (PH) farm. The kiln was first built by the Romans and Please tick the box if you wish to become a Friend and sign hedgerow species, to provide an additional wildlife habitat.